2020:822 - Castlereban South, Kildare

Archaeological monitoring of excavations associated with the Barrow Blueway development was carried out on various dates between October 2020 and April 2024. The development comprised the upgrade of the existing navigation towpath between Lowtown and Athy, Co. Kildare. The Environmental Impact Statement for the project recommended monitoring of excavations at locations where the route passes in the vicinity of recorded monuments. The maximum depth of excavation required to facilitate the new compacted stone and dust surface was 0.35m.

Archaeological monitoring was carried out on the south bank of the canal, west of Milltown Bridge at Castlereban South, Co. Kildare, on 5 October 2020. Recorded Monument KD034-001 (Ringfort – rath) lies 60m south of the towpath. Topsoil-strip along the 3.3m wide corridor revealed a thin layer of grey/brown clayey silt topsoil, over compact light grey/brown and yellow/brown clayey silt. The exposed ground in the vicinity of the bridge was very mixed, and contained pieces of coal and red brick (including burnt pieces of brick), flecks of charcoal, shells and occasional pieces of modern pottery. No archaeology was found.